Tall frame; athletic build; room for growth and mild muscle add-on; good push off mound; sometimes over exerted drive off mound; extension and plane were excellent; high 3/4th arm slot; fast arm action; dragged arm a few times; flew open a lot in first two innings; showed the mild rocking motion again; mild exertion but nothing substantial; delivery times 1.25-1.45; able to compose mechanics after losing them early in the second inning.

Evaluator

Tucker Blair

Report Date

06/09/2014

Affiliate

Frederick Keys (High A, Orioles)

Dates Seen

6/9/2014

OFP

60

Realistic

45; Middle Reliever

MLB ETA

2016

Video

No

Pitch Type

Present Grade

Future Grade

Sitting Velocity

Peak Velocity

Report

FB

50

60

89-93

94

FB suffered at the beginning of the outing; fell off and opened up a few times; velocity suffered; heavy boring action when he stays compact and driving towards home; still more control than command; command was largely erratic the entire night; was able to sit steadily at 91-93 after tightening mechanics back up.

CH

50

60

78-81

82

Another night of flashing plus; ball fades down and away from LHH; very good depth and parachute action; counted nine swinging strikes; five of his strikeouts were on the CH; really worked this pitch tonight; doubled and even tripled up on it at times; good pitch that continues to improve; release point is too early sometimes; bad ones will float up in zone.

SL

45

55

78-82

83

Dragged arm specifically on SL; also cast a few; very inconsistent with release points on this specific night; flashed two solid-average SL that resulted in swinging strikes; good ones have tilt and hard bite; was throwing front-door more than usual, although this is likely from casting it.

Overall

This was a gritty effort for Bridwell, but he showed composure throughout the game. In the past, Bridwell would have unraveled in the 1st and 2nd innings when he gave up a few hard hit balls and made a throwing error on a pickoff play. However, he composed himself after a mound visit by the catcher and actually fixed his mechanics during the inning. I have not seen that in the past. Bridwell is showing that he can learn and use that to progress as the game goes on. His stuff fluctuated the entire game due to the mechanical issues, but the stuff is very good when he is at his best. The slider is the most inconsistent pitch this season, as he has lacked efficiency with the pitch in multiple looks. The change has drastically improved and it will carry him at times. With the fastball/change combo, he can work through a lineup even when he lacks fastball command; which is often. If everything clicks, which is a long shot, Bridwell has the arsenal and stamina to be a #3 starter with potential to flash brilliance in spurts. The inconsistencies, mainly mechanically, likely leave in him a bullpen role.